I was reading an interesting article on the B.B.C.s website today. Even though the article wasn't exactly about idling cars, it was about a European Union proposal to fine car manufacturers for producing cars that emit more CO2 then a set average limit. Some green enthusiasts are not thrilled about the proposal and some Car manufacturers are up in arms over it. But the E.U. is committed to being a world leader in cutting CO2 emissions.Germany's BMW and France's Peugeot are calling it an unprecedented move. They don't see the benefits of a reduction in CO2 emissions, at least that's my point of view. The move was to show the world that the E.U. is committed to reducing greenhouse gases, which sounds like a move that is coming on the heels of the recent U.N. Climate Conference in Bali, Indonesia. One of the major contributors to the increase in greenhouse gases is the automobile industry.
Lets think about it for a second. How many cars can you find on the average road at any given time? What happens when the volume of those vehicles increase to the point where highways and motorways are nothing more than parking lots? How much idling is each individual car doing during a 45 km commute when traffic is moving at a rate of 0 to 50km/h? I know that taking public transit is less convenient than driving to and from work, I've had to do it on more than one occassion. The solution to averting the more drastic affects of climate change is out there, we just have to look for it.
I think the E.U.s proposal for setting fines for cars that produce more than a set limit of CO2 per kilometre is a step in the right direction. From what I've seen, most proposals for reducing greenhouse gases are anti-economical, but what is more devastating, increasing the temperature of our planet to the point where it's not habitable or having to spend money to avert killing our planet? We all have the power to find a solution to the current crisis our environment is facing, but all these baracades that business' are puting up in the name of profit have to be removed. If not for us, then for our children and our children's children. What do you think?
Image source: Canada-News
News Story: German ire at EU fine on car CO2
3 comments:
You make some very good points.
One of the issues here in the United States is that we don't even HAVE very good public transportaion.
It seems that in the past, some car manufacturers bought the systems that WERE here and ripped them out to 'encourage' people to get automobiles to get around.
And we sure love our independence!
We could make it sexy to ride the bus - just make ads with supermodels riding and having a good time...
We could ride bikes more - it's certainly possible here in Southern California. Trouble is, we have to share the road with the cars and it's pretty dangerous.
We are getting different vehicles going here. Electric cars are now on the road, hybrids too. It's very interesting to watch.
Thanks for posting about this, I didn't know before.
Pam Hoffman
http://seminarlist.blogspot.com
p.s. thanks for waiting on this! i dropped a card for you. pam
I agree. I don't understand what's so hard about spending some money or making cut backs to help make better products for our planet. I think we just have the short term, self centered attitude about this issue which means we can't afford to lose our personal standards of living to insure that future generations have a clean, comfortable world.
Hi all,
I think now is probably the best time to introduce laws like this, up until now the general opinion of governments has been and still is that yes, it's possible but it's too expensive and not profitable to cut co2 gases.
If you look at the general public opinion though, in most cases most individuals want to do their part but quite often in most cases it doesn't make a difference.
Sure you can recycle but we all know it does nothing compared to the carbon dioxide spewed forth by cars.
Large companies can and are cashing in on this now, I see ads all the time for cars which are more 'green', economical and more eco friendly, and it's a cool selling point.
This new law that you say is being proposed could and should be a good thing,yet another way to sell their cars while doing their bit for the environment, and people will buy them knowing they are helping to cut greenhouse gases.
I think public awareness is at an all time high on global issues and most people want to do their part and I think governments that focus on keeping our planet alive are going to get the most support in the coming years.
Good article, will stumble it.
Tony:)
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